When can you cut thuja? Pruning thuja in spring - features of plant care. How to find out that a thuja needs sanitary pruning

When can you cut thuja?  Pruning thuja in spring - features of plant care.  How to find out that a thuja needs sanitary pruning
When can you cut thuja? Pruning thuja in spring - features of plant care. How to find out that a thuja needs sanitary pruning

Climate middle zone Well suited for all forms of thuja occidentalis. This plant is one of the most popular and used by landscape designers. The reasons are obvious: it is not particularly demanding in terms of care, it grows quickly, creating a dense green mass that is an excellent background in both summer and winter gardens.

Western thuja has different forms, some of which are quite tall (up to 15 meters), others are shrubby and slow-growing. Tall thujas "", columnar "" and some shrubby forms that grow separately or are part of a composition should be trimmed.

A tree that is not limited in growth has a loose, thin, untidy crown with fresh growth sticking out chaotically. Thujas are trimmed several times during the growing season. The first haircut occurs in the spring.

Thuja Smaragd, a young plant.

Pruning in spring - how to do it right

The first pruning is sanitary. Its purpose is to prune, perhaps completely remove, tree branches that have dried out or been broken by winter winds and snow. When the tree fully awakens from hibernation, A average daily temperature will approach 10 ⁰С, then you can start shaping haircuts.

Thuja occidentalis is a very flexible material for forming almost any topiary pattern: it easily tolerates haircuts and “responds” to them with new growth that fills gaps in the crown. Pruning will turn a thin thuja with an openwork transparent crown into a lush, dense beauty.

Often, after a harsh winter, thujas that exceed the threshold of 3 meters in height bend their crowns under the weight of snow, their own weight, or shy away from large trees shading them, and are cut in height.

As a rule, thuja "Smaragd" has several trunks (from 3 to 5 depending on age): 1 - the leader and several accompanying ones. Pruning begins with the main central trunk, which is cut 20 centimeters below the point that should be the top of the tree. The accompanying trunks and branches are cut so that the upper part of the thuja looks natural, cone-shaped. Here you will need experienced hand a gardener who understands the basic principles of the formation of the crown of coniferous trees.

Important! Haircutting tools must be clean and disinfected.

Cones from thuja Smaragd.

Trimming schemes

Crowns different forms Western thujas are each formed in their own way. This is due to the natural shape of the trees, which dictates the direction appearance plants in a composition created by designers:

  1. "Brabant" by nature has a broadly cone-shaped crown, which can be shaped into any shape geometric figure, cut complex topiary designs;
  2. "Emerald"- columnar plant. Its crown is forming correct form regardless of the gardener’s participation - thick and dense. Therefore, for this type of thuja it is advisable to trim spiral and other shapes, deployed vertically: intertwining spirals, one spiral, balls from bottom to top from largest to smallest. There are many options. For some complex shapes it is possible to use a frame or special devices, which will make the gardener’s work easier.

Almost any standard shape can be formed from thuja Smaragd.

Tools

Three categories of tools are used to trim thuja occidentalis:

  1. Mechanical. These include pruners and garden shears.
  2. Electrical: brush cutters with different working tire lengths.
  3. Rechargeable. They differ from electric tools only in the charging method and power.

Mechanical ones are the easiest to use and do not require additional technical specifications(Access to electrical network, the ability to recharge the battery). Secateurs are used for cutting individual branches with a diameter of 0.2 to 3 cm (various models).

Garden shears differ in the length of the blades and the arms of the handles. The larger the tree, the longer the blades should be. A gardener should have scissors in his arsenal. different sizes because they have different purposes. Tools with short blades are mostly intended for trimming small plants or for “jewel-cutting” already trimmed shapes.

Electric and battery-powered tools make a gardener's life much easier because they do not require much physical effort during cutting. It is advisable to use for large volumes of work to save time. Speed ​​of movement of electric tool blades, additional devices(horizontal level) allow cutting work (especially for hedges) to be carried out quickly, in accordance with the pattern specified by the project.

When exactly to prune

Pruning of thujas, which forms the crown of the tree, is carried out at the end of April or May, depending on weather conditions. Next haircut could be in one and a half to two months, if there is sufficient growth. A light “cosmetic” haircut can be done without being tied to a specific time frame: a separate branch on the plant begins to grow actively, clearly overtaking the main mass, breaking the shape pattern - it is shortened by several centimeters in order to stop its growth, giving the rest the opportunity to catch up.

Errors

When cutting a curly haircut, it is difficult to avoid mistakes. Even experienced master may cut off something unnecessary. To minimize errors, you should adhere to certain rules:

  • Before you begin work, you need to carefully inspect the tree and map out places, where you will need to cut to form the required contour.
  • Cropped tips of branches, no more than 20 cm. this is enough for the main growth to stop, the sleeping buds to wake up and the crown to fill with fresh growth. The process is not fast - it usually occurs within 2 months, sometimes longer.
  • In order for the green mass to actively grow, it will be necessary immediately after cutting feed the plant with complex fertilizers and water it abundantly.
  • Regular watering is necessary for thujas. These are hardy trees that can survive drought, but with sufficient watering they will not only remain viable, but will also have a lush emerald crown.

Trimming various types of thuja, examples of curly haircuts

Each type of thuja is used to form certain shapes. For example, from the thuja “Smaragd” it is difficult to obtain a spreading shape with spherical shapes at the ends of the branches, while “Brabant” can be turned not only into a smooth pyramid or cone, but also to make nivaki based on it.

Brabant

The main shaping haircut is carried out 2 - 3 times a season, cosmetic - as necessary.

A hedge of parallelepiped thuja Brabant.

Emerald

Thuja occidentalis "Smaragd" is cut in vertical plane. The pattern can be different: in the form of any tiers geometric shape, balls strung on a barrel or spirals.

Adult thuja Smaragd, formed in the form of a spiral.

Niwaki

The method of forming the “niwaki” crown is rooted in Japanese culture. There are 8 main styles, for each of which a specific place in the garden is prescribed:

  1. "Tekan". It is based on a vertical single trunk, around which a crown is formed in the form of a regular triangle.
  2. "Sokan". Niwakis of this style are cut on two trunks forked from the root neck.
  3. "Kotobuki." This is a kind of amulet, since its shape is an image Japanese character“happiness”, next to which there must be a traditional stone lantern.
  4. "Shakan". A single tree trunk is formed at an angle to the surface of the earth. Traditionally, these forms of nivaki are located on the banks of reservoirs.
  5. "Moegi." The trunk is formed in the form of a sinusoid. As a rule, they are included in garden compositions.
  6. "Kongai." Crowns formed in this style have a flowing shape. Look good next to rocky walls and slides.
  7. "Monkaburi". A tree formed in this style traditionally precedes the entrance to the garden: the lower branch should be very long and located horizontally above the entrance.
  8. "Kyoto". The style originated in the city of the same name in Japan. The peculiarity is that it is formed exclusively on cryptomeria.

In the video below, Andrey But (Osokor nursery) voices the basic principles of the “niwaki” haircut. Having many years of experience in growing plants, the nurseryman uses in his work various ways formation of the crown of plants and willingly shares his knowledge by conducting master classes.

Formation of the thuja crown

The cutting that forms the crown of the plant begins upon reaching the age of 6 years when it enters the phase of active vertical growth, having sufficiently developed root system. By trimming the apical shoot, the gardener sets the plant's horizontal growth, which, with subsequent cuttings, allows it to grow a certain form crown

The crown of “Brabant” can be formed in the form of a ball at the ends of the branches. At the same time, the abandoned branches are exposed, at the ends of which spherical shapes are formed.

Standard forms are given to the thuyas when they reach the desired height, after which the trunk is exposed from bottom to top, leaving on the standard some of the branches, from which a ball, cube or other shape will subsequently be formed.

Arborvitae "Smaragd" are cut with a spiral. Their crown is most suitable for such forms.

Garden, the main tone in which is created different kinds thuy.

Each activity in the garden, including formative pruning of coniferous plants, requires certain practical skills and theoretical knowledge in the field of ornamental gardening.

One of the most unpretentious and spectacular plants For landscape design considered thuja. The description of the main characteristics, as well as the rules for caring for the plant given in the article, will allow gardeners to enjoy this shrub all year round without spending much effort.

Thuja is called evergreen perennial shrub from the cypress family. It is perfect for building living and landscaping areas. Care is not characterized by complex elements or manipulations, but it must be done systematically. To the most famous and popular varieties thujas include:

  • Aurea;
  • Albospicata;
  • Wagnery;
  • Globoza;
  • Globoza nana;
  • Danica.

Description of landing

Thuja is planted with seedlings or seeds. The best period for planting is the Basic care after this consists of systematic watering and protection from direct sunlight and wind.

Thuja can also be grown in an apartment or house. For normal development, the plant needs scattered sunlight, abundant watering in summer and moderate in winter period. From spring to autumn, the plant must be fed with specialized fertilizers.

How to prepare needles for winter

Thuja after winter may become covered with brown-brown spots. This effect occurs due to the receipt sunburn. In winter, the sun and wind dry out the plant, and the frozen ground does not give required quantity moisture. To avoid such consequences, care should begin in the fall. Thuja should be protected from direct sunlight. This must be done using linen, chintz, matting or special industrial material. Just wrap the plant well with a cloth.

Caring for thuja in spring will make it much easier proper preparation thuja for winter. Make sure that the plant is not covered with snow. Snow during the thaw period can cause the bush to become warm, and as a result, spots will appear.

Also, under the weight of snow, the crown may “break” and the needles will lose their shape. It is better to secure the crown with a rope.

Caring for thuja in spring

1. Haircut. Caring for thuja in the spring involves removing dry shoots. If the bush was wrapped up for the winter, then in the spring it is necessary to remove the protective material and give the crown time to take its natural position. After this, you can start cutting.

2. Feeding. In spring, the plant definitely needs additional feeding, for example, it can be liquid organic fertilizers, compost or mineral fertilizers.

In the first year after planting, the plant does not need additional fertilizer.

How to prune thuja correctly in spring

In order to prune thuja, you will need garden pruners.

To carry out this procedure correctly, you must adhere to the following rules:

  1. Carry out the procedure only in dry weather.
  2. Thuja pruning in the spring is carried out at the beginning of April or in the summer, at the end of June.
  3. After removing dry branches, thin out the thickened crowns. By pruning healthy branches, you ensure better air circulation and thereby reduce the possibility of pest infestation of the bush.
  4. In order for the thuja to grow wider rather than upward, it is necessary to trim the upper part. To form a spherical bush, if the variety allows it, it is necessary to trim branches that differ in length from the main body of shoots.
  5. Part of the annual growth must be regularly removed during decorative cutting. This pruning of thuja in the spring is done in order to maintain the selected shape of the needles. However, if you overdo it with pruning, areas without greenery may appear in the crown, which will lead to the loss of its decorative appearance.
  6. If the plant grows very quickly and requires frequent cutting, then it is necessary to reduce the amount of fertilizer applied to the soil.
  7. If pruning of the thuja in the spring was not done in a timely manner, then in the summer it is necessary to remove the dried branches and thin out the crown.
  8. Thujas that grow in shaded areas often do not need crown thinning. These plants cannot boast of lush greenery.

Growing this plant will bring a lot of pleasure to gardeners, as it can be used to create a unique landscape design.

Thuja- unpretentious, fast growing coniferous plant of the cypress family, very popular among gardeners. Cypress, spruce, larch are other popular decorative conifers. Thuja will decorate any garden or garden if you follow the recommendations on how and when to trim it.

Why trim thuja?

As an element of landscape design, it acts as a single planting with a clearly defined crown shape: spherical, cone-shaped, or when forming hedges, protective wind screens.

The plant has several varieties with different shades of needles and the ability to form a crown. The decorative purpose of the thuja determines the need for regular pruning.

Goals of cutting thuja:

  • sanitary: removal of dry, dead and diseased branches;
  • crown thinning to create comfortable conditions plant:
  • decorative: emphasizing the natural shape of the tree or artificially giving the necessary configuration.

U low-growing species saved good form bush with minimal pruning. An old thuja in the shape of a ball or column can, over time, split into several trunks and begin to disintegrate. Taking into account the condition of the tree, unnecessary trunks are removed.

Can all thujas be and should be pruned?

Thuja tolerates haircuts well if certain rules are followed. Whether a particular plant needs to be trimmed depends on whether the crown shape matches the gardener’s or landscape designer’s design.

For some varieties of thuja, it is enough to trim the crown as little as possible, as they have a naturally beautiful appearance. Thuja Brabant is pruned regularly, because this variety has a spreading, loose crown. Shearing is carried out the year following planting.

Trimming time – when to prune?

Thuja begins to be pruned in the spring, after the end of frost, and can be done throughout the summer and autumn. The start of trimming is determined climatic features terrain, in the southern regions you can begin the procedure already at the end of February.

Trimming in damp rainy weather is undesirable, because at this time the content of pathogenic microorganisms in the air is increased, and after pruning the tree has open wounds and is especially susceptible to disease.

Thuja pruning in spring and summer

After the past winter it is mandatory sanitary pruning , removing branches that died over the winter and were damaged by snow. If the tree was wrapped in fabric for the winter, it is necessary to give it time to straighten. A crown that is too thick is thinned out so that the tree feels better in the heat. Forming cutting of branches is carried out after the spring active growth of thujas.

The best time for pruning is late May-early June. During this period, young shoots appear and buds bloom.

Thuja pruning in autumn

The second optimal period for circumcision is at the end of August. when the tree begins to prepare for winter. Before cutting thuja in late summer and early autumn (September), you should pay attention to the condition of the plant: how it survived the summer, how good the green mass is at the bottom of the tree, near the ground. Fast growing western thuja should give an increase of 30 cm over the summer.

Excessively long branches cause harm to the plant winter time, because too much snow will stick to them.

Purpose autumn pruning Arborvitae is preparing the plant for winter. At the end of August, thuja is pruned not only for decorative purposes, but also to protect it from snowfall.

Basic rules for cutting thuja

Correctly carried out haircut will give the crown of the thuja splendor and add decorativeness to the plant.

The haircut rules are very simple, it is not difficult to adhere to them:

  1. Normal annual growth is 20 cm. The branches should not be cut too short; the cutting norm is two or three years' growth, depending on the type of thuja.
  2. Branches should be trimmed little by little, but regularly. If branches are pruned too much, it stresses the plant and can cause poor growth.
  3. During trimming, especially in the spring, diseased and dried branches are certainly removed, and the crown is thinned out.
  4. The haircut is carried out slowly, Because if the plant is pruned incorrectly, it will take a lot of time to recover, and it will not be a decoration of the garden.
  5. It is necessary to coordinate thuja pruning with the weather forecast, there should be no rain in the days closest to the procedure.

Video: how to properly trim and shape the crown of a thuja

How to properly trim and shape a thuja with your own hands?

When planting new plants, you should immediately trim off any protruding plants. different sides branches. The next year, they begin to give the plant the desired shape, not forgetting to remove dry and diseased branches.

When pruning, follow the rules:

  1. Haircut should be done on small areas simultaneously.
  2. While working, it is necessary to move some distance away from the plant as often as possible and evaluate the result.
  3. Branches must be trimmed without leaving stumps.
  4. The formation of holes in the crown that do not heal for a long time and disfigure the tree should not be allowed.

It is better for inexperienced gardeners to start by forming the crowns of those varieties of thuja that are naturally the right kind, do not require significant cutting skills. For example, Thuja Smaragd has the shape of a pyramid; it is slightly adjusted.

If the thuja has not been pruned for many years, radical pruning will be required. It should be done carefully - the thuja does not tolerate this kind of pruning and may die.

Haircutting tools

What tool is needed to cut thuja?

To properly trim thuja for a non-professional gardener It is enough to have the following tools and devices:


With a small number of plants, it is enough simple tools, the main thing is that they are sharp and well sharpened. Professional gardeners who have to trim large tracts of trees use electric tools and special machines, for example, for cutting thuja.

Planning your pruning

Pruning and haircut differ in their ultimate goals. Thuja should be pruned mainly for health purposes. If you trim the branches, this will give the crown the desired shape. Any type of work should be planned.

The pruning and haircut plan involves the following steps:

  • crown study;
  • rough removal of branches;
  • adjustment.

The thuja pruning diagrams clearly show how to trim the thuja to form a crown. Then directly trim the branches. Final stage, extended over time - haircut to maintain shape.

Mandatory pruning

Unlike pruning for decorative purposes, which is carried out at the request of the gardener, It is necessary to prune diseased and dried branches - this is mandatory stage plant care.

Unpruned diseased branches will cause damage to the entire plant.

The bulk of the work falls on spring period , in summer and autumn, prune for sanitary purposes as necessary. If the crown has become too thick, it must be thinned out for unhindered airflow and sufficient sunlight for all areas of the thuja.

Plants in a hedge should be the same in height; the crown of excessively tall specimens is cut off.

The crown of the tree will grow in width if the top of the central trunk is cut off.

Those that appear on the thuja can be trimmed. They are used in folk medicine, because they have many beneficial properties. If the cones are dried, they will open and the seeds can be collected to propagate the plant.

Formation of a beautiful crown

The crown is formed only on a healthy adult plant after mandatory pruning.

The following factors need to be considered:

  • when choosing a shape, take into account the natural shape of the crown;
  • do not trim too much;
  • the shape needs to be adjusted regularly;
  • branches without needles are removed;
  • the tool must be clean and well sharpened;
  • to create a neat crown, use auxiliary means: twine, templates, slats, paint, etc.;
  • prevent holes from appearing in the crown.

Haircut of spherical thuja

The crown of many varieties of thuja itself forms a ball; it is necessary to trim off too long and diseased branches. Tui round shape used to create other shapes, because they tolerate haircuts well.

Topiary haircut

A topiary haircut involves the formation of various figures and shapes from the natural crown of plants. Topiary haircut has been used for many centuries, A feature of modern topiary is the use of a frame when creating green sculptures.

Thuja is perfect for this type of garden art, because it tolerates pruning well, its crown is plastic and very decorative.


Frame for topiary haircut

Pyramid shape

Thuja occidentalis variety Smaragd is best suited for creating a pyramid, because it has a natural cone shape. A frame of slats is created around the thuja, the number of which corresponds to the number of ribs of the pyramid. The slats connect at the top of the pyramid. The haircut is carried out on all sides at once, otherwise it is difficult to achieve the same result on opposite sides.

Spiral haircut

This type of decorative haircut is very popular among landscape designers and ordinary gardeners. A spectacular spiral is obtained from a plant with a straight trunk; if the thuja has several trunks, they must be tied together.

The shape of the spiral can be outlined using a rope or tape to make the cutting line more clear. Used for basting spray paint. At the first stage of cutting, you do not need to go too deep inside the plant, leaving the branches to adjust the shape. The haircut is carried out with scissors, which are held parallel to the direction of the coil.

Video: spiral pruning of thuja

Taper haircut

The easiest way is to give the thuja crown a cone shape; beginners should try their hand at this type of haircut. To make the cone beautiful and not distorted, a frame of three wooden slats is used. They are made a little taller than the tree.

The slats are installed in the form of a hut, secured at the top with twine or wire. Then the branches are cut sequentially between the slats. At the end of the cutting, the bottom of the tree is adjusted.

Ovoid shape

The egg-shaped crown is also one of the simplest haircuts, because many varieties of thuja initially have a spherical or ovoid crown. For example, it is enough to slightly correct the crown of the western thuja variety Wagneri, since it has an ovoid shape. Thuja Smaragd can be given the shape of an egg by cutting off the top of the plant.

Paw cut

Thuja can be used to form a bonsai. All side branches should be removed, leaving paws at the ends. In addition to cutting, you will need to bend the branches down, securing them with twine or using a weight.

Horizontal crown formation

Thuja will grow horizontally if you use special methods:

  1. A wire is stretched over the plant, which is not yet tall, to prevent the branches from growing upward.
  2. In autumn, the wire is removed and vertically stretched branches are trimmed.
  3. Various types of things can be hung from the branches. heavy objects or tie them to pipes laid along the plantings.

Features of cutting some varieties

U different types Arborvitae have their own characteristics, which are taken into account when cutting. IN ornamental gardening Thuja occidentalis is popular in Russia.

Varieties of western thuja differ in crown shape:

  • variety Smaragd has the shape of a pyramid;
  • Columna variety differs in the columnar shape of the crown;
  • variety Danika forms a ball-shaped crown.

The varieties Smaragd and Columna do not need constant trimming; their crown can be slightly adjusted, because it looks great in natural form. It is necessary to trim thuja of the Brabant variety regularly, otherwise it takes on a shapeless, sloppy appearance due to its excessively loose and spreading crown.

Thuja Smaragd

Thuja Columna

Thuya Danika

How to trim thuja in a hedge?

The choice of thuja varieties for hedges depends on the required height, density and shape of the crown, and the color of the needles. Thuja occidentalis is best suited: varieties Brabant, Smaragd and Fastigiana.

When making a hedge, you should not wait until the tree reaches the required height; you should trim it from the first years, shape green wall gradually. The top of the fence is made narrower than the bottom.

For a smooth hedge and uniform size of plants, special devices are used:

  • templates;
  • vertical racks;
  • mesh with large cells;
  • leg-split.

Video: trimming a thuja hedge

Care after pruning

After pruning is completed, the tree requires special attention and additional care. A few simple procedures will help the thuja quickly get stronger.

This article outlines detailed information about Thuja pruning. You will find out whether thuja is trimmed without fail, how it is done correctly, when and with what tools. Information is also posted about the curly (topiary) haircut of thuja, cutting tools are shown, as well as photos of thuja haircut options for those who are looking for original ideas for subsequent implementation in own garden.

Is it possible to trim thuja? This question can only be answered positively. Thuja is not at all afraid of being cut, but this procedure has a number of simple rules that, perhaps, should be followed.

The formation of a thuja by pruning is done when one or more of its branches become longer than the others and begin to protrude beyond the crown. Such branches, depending on the situation, can be partially or completely removed with pruning shears. Don’t be afraid to remove the overly elongated or dried out top of the thuja, as healthy branches will begin to receive more nutrition, and over time the plant will grow new peak and will recover. Forming the crown of a thuja by cutting off its top is used not only to thicken the crown, but also to give the plant a new intended shape. For example, if you cut off the top, you can even form thuja Smaragd in the shape of an egg (see photo).

In the photo: thickening of the crown of Thuja Smaragd after trimming the top.

Tools for cutting thuja. You will need long bladed garden shears and pruning shears. The two mentioned tools will be enough. Individual yellowed branches are removed with pruning shears, and curly pruning of the thuja is carried out with garden shears. There are special electric scissors, including those for cutting hedges. Mechanical garden shears come with sliding telescopic handles. All tools for cutting thuja must be sharp and clean. It is not at all necessary to purchase electric cutting tools, as professional gardeners need them more. To work in your own garden, simple mechanical tools from a good, trusted company are enough.

How to properly trim thujas in a hedge. Trimming the thuja improves the growth of branches at the base of the shoots, promoting tillering, so pruning the thuja is recommended to be done immediately after planting the hedge. It is better to trim thuja in a hedge after planting in such a way that the height of all plants becomes the same; for this they are shortened by a third of their height or even by two-thirds. Pruning the hedge in the second year is carried out in order to further thicken the crown and give the plants the desired shape. It is done even if the plants have not yet reached the required height. In subsequent years, cutting to form a thuja in the hedge is usually only of a supporting nature.

Timing for pruning thuja- early spring, summer and autumn. Thus, cutting thuja in spring can be started from its early days in the absence of frost, then carried out in any of the summer days and in dry autumn weather. All types of thuja are trimmed at similar times, including the western thuja.

Rules for cutting thuja include a few simple points :

1 Compliance with the deadlines for pruning thuja (see above).

3 Before forming thuja complex shape, you can outline its outline with a rope, tying its tip to the top.

4 When pruning thuja, the cuts do not need to be lubricated with garden putty.

5 There is an opinion that it is better to trim thuja in cloudy weather, since Sun rays contribute to the drying out of needles damaged during cutting. There is, of course, a reasonable element in this approach, but a number of successful haircuts carried out in sunny weather make this rule optional.

Haircut of spherical thuja. Many decorative varieties Arborvitae grow on their own in the shape of a ball, so they do not require a mandatory curly haircut, but only the removal of excessively long, damaged and dry branches. However, a haircut globular thuja can be carried out according to the same rules and within the same time frames as described above. The spherical thuja tolerates a curly haircut perfectly and can be done to give the plant not only a more regular round shape, but also any other of the desired possible shapes: square, triangular, oval, etc. So, thanks to the haircut, a spherical thuja can be given any shape and even create hedges from it - fences or borders. The undeniable advantages of creating borders from some varieties of spherical thujas are their small height and dwarfism (slow growth).

Sometimes a spherical thuja is the result of a haircut. So, for example, in the form of a ball on a leg, you can form a pyramidal thuja Smaragd (see photo). Any other variety can be used. The formation of such a thuja occurs over several seasons, and in subsequent years only maintenance of the form is required.

Thuja topiary haircut. A topiary or topiary is a sculpture or architectural form created from plants. It can be in the form of a human figure, an animal, a car, and in general it can take the shape of absolutely any object. Thuja has long been used for topiary cutting, although topiary figures are made not only from it, but from many types of plants, including deciduous ones. Topiary cutting is the process of creating complex shapes from plants, as a result of which, sometimes, real works of art are born.

A topiary can be cut from an already mature plant, showing your imagination, or you can grow a frame topiary; for this you can purchase the shape you like at a garden store. A standard frame for topiary is usually made of wire, and is dismantled after achieving the result. Using a topiary frame has several advantages: it is easy to use and allows you to get faster and more accurate results. First, we plant the thuja in such a way that it subsequently occupies a sufficient area of ​​the base of the frame. If necessary, you can plant several plants. Then the frame is installed on top and fixed to the ground. There is nothing simpler than forming a thuja inside the frame, from time to time cutting off only the shoots protruding beyond its limits. Gradually the green mass will grow inside metal form and the topiary figure will take the correct shape.

Forming a thuja topiary takes several years and depends on its final size. The length of time it takes to form thuja topiary is perhaps the only drawback in this form of art.

Photo of a thuja topiary haircut (click to enlarge):

Spiral thuja haircut. This type haircuts are quite popular and for it you need to use thujas of pyramidal or columnar varieties. The most commonly used haircut is thuja Smaragd. When cutting thuja Smaragd, it almost always has several trunks, so before forming thuja Smaragd into a spiral, they try to find the most suitable plant for this, preferably with one or two trunks, which will allow you to create a spiral of the most correct shape. Future bends are marked along the crown with a rope, initially tied to the top, and then the crown is trimmed with garden shears, and unnecessary single branches are removed with pruning shears, without leaving “stumps” on the trunk.

Thuja is an evergreen coniferous plant that is often found both in urban landscapes and in small suburban areas. The shrub is not picky in care and has many garden forms. To preserve the green mass, the plant needs regular pruning. Next, we will discuss when pruning of thuja is carried out, at what weather conditions It is worth performing the procedure in the fall and what algorithm of actions to follow.

Basic tasks and pruning order

After the thuja pruning procedure in the fall, the tree experiences stress and is prone to disease. During this period, it is important to provide him proper care, which consists of a set of simple measures:

  • abundant watering - each thuja requires at least 10 liters of water;
  • fertilizing - the tree is fertilized with humus, peat, and other specialized mixtures (no fertilizing is needed in summer);
  • spraying with growth stimulants before winter - performed immediately after cutting to soften the impact of cutting on the plant.

The main advantage of thuja is its ease of care and the ability to realize a varied landscape. Not unimportant integral part Caring for this evergreen decoration involves systematic pruning of the plant throughout the year. It will free the thuja from dead, diseased branches and give the crown the desired shape.

How to trim thuja: video